Scroll to the bottom for pre-roundup report.
Scroll down for daily reports from the 2022 Triple B roundup from 7/15-8/9. The second half can be found HERE.
Cumulative totals through 8/9:
Captured: 967 (338 Stallions, 474 Mares, and 155 Foals)
Shipped: 842 (298 Stallions, 404 Mares, and 140 Foals)
Deaths: 18
BLM states:
Listed as non-roundup related: 7 year old Bay Mare euthanized: blind, missing left eye; 1 year old Sorrel filly: colic. 20+ year old Dun stallion: blind, missing right eye; 3-year-old bay mare put down: club foot. 20+-year old stallion; poor condition unable to improve. 20+ yer=old mare, poor condition, unable to improve. 20+ year-old Sorrel mare euthanized: severe tooth loss; unable to maintain or improve a BCS 3. 3-year-old Sorrel mare euthanized: blind. A 10-year-old Sorrel mare was put down because she had club foot. 4 month old Dun foal : pre-existing fractured right front leg; 4 month old Bay foal: pre-existing deformity — congenital lax flexor tendons.; 2-year-old bay mare died unexpectedly. Necropsy conducted and found compromised lung (respiratory pneumonia).; 5-year-old bay stallion euthanized: pre-existing, sway back; 5-year-old bay mare euthanized: pre-existing fractured back.
Listed as sudden, roundup related: 7 year old Bay mare died: broken neck. A 6-year-old Palomino stallion broke his neck; 20+ year-old sorrel stallion euthanized: pre-existing fractured right front leg.
You can learn more about the BLM Euthanasia Policy of 2021 HERE.
Most current report at the top. Scroll down for earlier reports. Long video reports are linked at the bottom of each fast daily log when completed from 7/15- 8/9. Operations after 8/9 can he found HERE.
08_09_22
At the new trap set it appears the pace of this operation is accelerating. At the Blue Wing roundup they completed the capture of 805 burros in 5 days (10 deaths). They have less than 150 wild horses left to capture at Blue Wing and it appears that the contractor staff has shifted an additional helicopter, trap set up and personnel over to Triple B. Triple B appears to have had 2 acceleration points: the first when the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Policy (CAWP) team left and now with the influx of the individuals from Blue Wing. We will see if the issues faced at Blue Wing also follow to Triple B.
Triple B has been hit 4 times in 5 years with large scale roundups. If there is an expectation that is operation should move at a pace equal to an operation like Twin Peaks (that did not have a roundup in ten years) it is not realistic and sounds like some paper pusher that is far removed from the reality of the range. An accelerated pace (faster than the first acceleration) is not appropriate as the bands are squeezed from Triple B to the absurd AML set in politics, not a Herd Management Area Plan (HMAP) as it should have been. You are squeezing out the remaining populations in a very vast territory.
100 (33 Stallions, 57 Mares, and 10 Foals) wild horses were captured.
Yes, we know the mines (and the subsequent housing complexes to the north) are expanding… but please, slow down.
7 year old Bay mare died: broken neck.
08_08_22
BLM squeezed 41 (16 Stallions, 22 Mares, and 3 Foals) wild horses out of this trap site before picking up to set trap in a new location. You can really see during this entire operation that these sites are hit repeatedly over the last decade and wild horses are becoming more scarce for our on-range teams to find, as well as those trying to capture them. The 1900 targeted during this operation is a squeeze, not just this trapsite.
Our observer remains the only member of the public onsite as we head into another week where rain is expected for a second 6 day stretch.
08_07_22
79 (26 Stallions, 39 Mares, and 14 Foals) wild horses were captured on a hot day between heavy rain systems. We have one more day of clear weather and the next system will move through bringing another wet week ahead. BLM will probably hit the half-way mark toward reaching the 1900 targeted for capture today or tomorrow. Our observer remains the only observer onsite.
Above: a few clips of trailer issues including a horse down and a foal slip and fall. There are two consistent issues here at this operation that appear to be causing preventable stress: BLM is not lowering the back of the trailer by bringing out the Cat to dig (or choosing another site) and there is something going on with the trailers creating slippery surfaces (not cleaning or wet?).
08_06_22
Our observer went to meet BLM at location before dawn. At 8:30 she returned. Operation rained out. Rain for 7 days in a row, with several days experiencing flooding in a portion of the complex.
Below: Due to the short capture portion of a long day, we edited the video to sum up capture.
08_05_22
On another rainy day (and after delays) there were 2 runs and 12 (8 Stallions, 4 Mares, and 0 Foals) wild horses captured. There has been rain in some part of this complex every day since July 31. Flash flood warnings from heavy rain for several days. Flash flood warnings and heavy rain are expected again tomorrow. Our observer remains the only public onsite for this expansive and remote area. She is doing a lot of driving each long day and getting back near dark. (We join in saying a big “thank you.”)
08_04_22
39 (10 Stallions, 22 Mares, and 7 Foals) wild horses were captured in the last day of squeezing as many bands from this trap as possible. Multiple bands were run throughout the valley, one appeared selected after some time, and then an attempt was made to trap the band. Many fractured, evaded, and then joined the others back in the valley in the next attempt to single out a band. In the last instance, at the entrance to the wings (that we cannot see) appeared to break and head to the valley as the chopper worked several attempts to get the band into the trap (this has been common at this trap), later followed by another. Then 4 members of the band appeared up over the ridge (we were told they broke through jute). As the chopper ground through attempts to push them in, both horseback and ATV went out. We saw no horses come into trap on that last run. Our observer reports that she remains the only member of the public onsite. Trap moves tomorrow.
Wild horses continue to show healthy, very healthy, body weight in holding.
We have a massive amount of video we are working to label and will post more as time allows.
2 more died: 1 year old Sorrel filly: colic. 20+ year old Dun stallion: blind, missing right eye.
We know an old dun from this area that sustained an eye injury prior to release in a 2018 roundup. We are checking to see if he may be that Dun stallion.
08_03_22
49 (13 Stallions, 26 Mares, and 10 Foals) wild horses were captured on the third day at this trap location. A mare an a yearling and this years foal escape the wing of the trap. Our observer remained the only observer onsite.
Long video report will link HERE as time allows.
08_02_22
67 (14 Stallions, 37 Mares, and 16 Foals) were captured. 40 (16 Stallions, 17 Mares and 7 Foals) were shipped to the off-limits to view facility in Sutherland Utah. A baby died. BLM said the death of the tiny baby was a pre-existing condition: lameness — weak tendons. (Please read more about little baby feet and legs HERE)
There were two escapes, roping and a baby died. These runs were long, back and forth, and then it appeared that there have been issues with getting horses into the wings (that we cannot see but we hear the chopper and periodically see it over the ridge). We remain the only observers onsite.
Long video report linked HERE from 08_02_22
08_01_22
41 (13 Stallions, 28 Mares and 0 Foals) wild horses were captured. As the area receives rain the roundup continues to squeeze locations that have been hit 4 times in the last 7 years. Our observer is the only member of the public onsite.
Long piece reflecting on Triple B on 8/1 from our on-range team and our at roundup team. Yes, we have people in both places. Click HERE.
07_31_22
There were 7 runs that captured 37 (11 Stallions, 22 Mares, and 4 Foals) wild horses. There were a total 7 runs. Each run appeared to be a single family or small bachelor band at this new trap location. Observation was, again, very limited. A small portion of the drive and trap pens could be partially viewed through trees and sage. Our WHE CAWP team member is the only public onsite.
As the trailers leave trap they move through a portion of the wings and then onto a very bumpy two-track. Another horse went down in the trailer and had to be coaxed to standing.
A question we receive often: “BLM doesn’t fly in rain or snow, right?” Rain, snow, intense heat and cold, weekends, holidays … the roundup goes on. A flash flood alert for areas in the complex went out for today. Our observer is back onsite.
We have also had a team members on range, on and off the few weeks. We will publish that report soon.
07_29_22 and 07_30_22
No capture operations. BLM noted mechanical issues and inspection. We believe BLM is also (likely) moving trap and holding.
On 7/29: BLM shipped 77 (39 Stallions, 28 Mares and 10 Foals) wild horses to Sutherland. A 3-year-old bay mare was put down due to club foot.
First runs of the morning: video above. We remain at the distant trap surrounded by trees.
07_28_22
76 (33 Stallions, 33 Mares, and 10 Foals) wild horses were captured. 2 were euthanized for “poor condition, unable to improve.”
What we could observer: Several small foals were driven in and runs consisted of continuing to traverse the large valley and horses threaded through the trees. We could observe a portion of the roping one adult (the older stallion later euthanized).
BLM announced they would not be flying on Friday.
07_27_22
BLM remains at the same trap where drives are distant and any portion of the trap is hidden. From this location the only way we know wild horses have been captured is by the massive dust generated by the helicopter push into the trap.
41 (17 Stallions, 20 Mares, and 4 Foals) wild horses were captured. 2 more died: 20+ year-old Sorrel mare euthanized: severe tooth loss; unable to maintain or improve a BCS 3. 3-year-old Sorrel mare euthanized: blind.
One black horse lagged back during the helicopter drive and then evaded capture and ran closer to observers (video above). It is impossible to note if he were captured later in the day as the drives make identifying individual horses difficult.
Observation will be at this location tomorrow. Long video report will link HERE when loaded.
Video below: trailer montage to show the road chosen by BLM COR/IC for transport.
07_26_22
At this trap BLM captured 52 wild horses.
The trap was off-limits to public viewing due to “space” concerns. The Incident Commander (IC) remained with the public on this day after having a couple of days off, but remaining IC. There were two members of the public.
There was another incident with a horse down in the trailer; yesterday there was an incident as well. Unlike yesterday, the incident today appeared to be due to the long and bumpy two-track road chosen for transport. Our observer requested that BLM change trap as the road endangers the welfare of wild horses.
BLM remains at this trap again today.
Long report can be seen HERE. (Some of the footage is graphic and will contain a warning.)
07_25_22
19 (8 Stallions, 9 Mares, and 2 Foals) wild horses were captured and 2 more died: A 6-year-old Palomino stallion broke his neck. A 10-year-old Sorrel mare was put down because she had club foot.
The day included a daring escape and recapture…. and a horse (apparently) goes down in an unruly trailer situation.
You can see it all in our daily video log, extended, team report HERE.
07_24_22
On the first day of the new trap (set in the Antelope Valley HMA) 42 wild horses (18 Stallions, 16 Mares, and 8 Foals) were captured. A cool front hit the over 1.3 million acre Complex and the high was 89 degrees. The HMAs to south received rain and thunderstorms, but not the area of trapping. Our observer was the only member of the public onsite.
The wings on this trap are wide and, in our opinion, too short. There was a lot of chaos at the trap mouth and multiple escape/capture attempts.
Mechanical issues with the helicopter suspended operations temporarily and then operations resumed.
Long form video report from day 9, click here.
07_23_22
No flight today. We visited new trap location.
07_22_22
37 (15 Stallions, 14 Mares, and 8 Foals) wild horses captured as BLM squeezed a last day out of the trap and two foals (BLM is calling 4 months old) died. BLM is saying they are both due to pre-existing conditions.
Full video report for this day HERE, content will be disturbing to the public
07_21_22
Today, 69 (20 Stallions, 37 Mares, and 12 Foals) were captured. We continue to see young foals. Several of the youngsters could not keep up and broke from their bands and were roped or driven in by helicopter. A solitary wild horse came into the area looking at trap, apparently for family, and then left the valley.
This is the same trap as yesterday.
A lot of questions are raised as we compare foaling rates as roundup season moves ahead.
You can read more in our long form video report HERE.
Video below: The first run of the day shows it heated more rapidly and with less cloud cover than yesterday creating more difficulties for our onsite team member documenting the operation.
07_20_22
41 (12 Stallions, 24 Mares, and 5 Foals) wild horses were captured at Triple B.
A wild horse appears to have gone down near the trap during a run (as others were running into trap) and is loaded onto a trailer. BLM reported the death of a 2-year old due to respiratory illness, a sudden death. We are assuming this is that instance, but we were not informed onsite.
That side of the trap is a maze of old barbed wire; some standing, some laying on the ground. This is a trap BLM has repeatedly used at the operations in this area since this EA was formalized in 2017. There was one collision with the barbed wire as a stud tried to flee the maze.
Long form video report for 07_20_22 Click HERE
07_19_22
39 (14 Stallions, 17 Mares, and 8 Foals) wild horses were captured on the first day at the new trap site. We saw several very, very, young foals and heavily pregnant mares. The pace of runs has picked up at Triple B.
BLM reported 3 deaths on the website, but did not inform onsite observers. They report: 20+ year-old sorrel stallion euthanized: pre-existing fractured right front leg. 5-year-old bay stallion euthanized: pre-existing, sway back. 5-year-old bay mare euthanized: pre-existing fractured back.
Extended report, with a lot of video, from day 5 CLICK HERE.
07_18_22
39 (14 Stallions, 17 Mares, and 8 Foals) were captured on another day that reached around 95 degrees. At the same trap location as yesterday, the runs continued to be dominated by smaller groups with a small foal or two.
Full report (with extensive video) can be found by clicking HERE.
07_17_22
43 (16 Stallions, 20 Mares, and 7 Foals) wild horses were captured day 1. There appear to be some issues with trap and we will expand in our long form report later today. A times here were more BLM employees at the observation point than members of the public; 4 members of the public were present.
We did get a walk around of the temporary corrals at the end of the day.
Video below: Video from today (and earlier this week) at Triple B. Wild horses have been declared a safety hazard for mining … on the roads BLM approved placement of. BLM is in the process of approving more fencing for livestock and mining expansion in Triple B.
07_15_22
Triple B began with a “no fly day.” After observers travelled to the trap we were notified that the chopper would not be flying today, mechanical issues.
Our observer requested to inspect the trap. She noted that BLM has, once again, allowed fencing to be a part of a wing leading to the trap. She notified BLM that the fencing was not flagged. They have informed her that they have since added flagging.
Our team continues to report back on the condition of the horses at Triple B. No, this particular picture is not of a pregnant mare; this is a stud.
Our team remains onsite to continue to work to stop abuse during capture. The first case in history against abuse was filed by WHE (Laura Leigh) at Triple B. We will have more on that history, the work being done and what comes next, as the operation continues.
Our team remains onsite.
Help keep us in the field and in the fight.
July, 2019
Before the roundup
BLM begins a capture operation at Triple B that targets 1900 wild horses for capture today. If BLM reaches that target goal, they may release up to 50 mares treated with GonaCon. Traditionally, BLM has used PZP at Triple B. As they “expand the use of fertility control” they are transitioning to GonaCon. No form of appropriate removal, capture or other management tools were ever approved in any Herd Management Area Plan (HMAP) for any of the HMAs in the Triple B Complex. BLM is claiming the ten-year EA (2017) is all the paperwork they need to conduct this operation. The EA spans two HMA complexes (Antelope and Triple B).
The way BLM is carving up the territory (roads, fences) in the territory of one of our last truly large herds, is turning into an exercise in abuse as routes are cut off, no mitigation for water sources is being done. A longer piece on the Ten-year EA at Triple B and the lack of HMAP HERE
Wild horses in this area are being removed as BLM continues to rapidly carve up the habitat for mining and livestock. Triple B comprises over 1.6 million acres and BLM claims only 482-821 wild horses can exist in the area. (We are breaking down HMA by HMA stats to include the Antelope Complex. BLM lumped the additional 1.6 million acre Antelope Complex into this same EA.)
As this operation progresses we will bring you team reports and additional information about the HMAs, legal actions and more. We had contacted the BLM state office early this week in a legal letter asking for an explanation on how they are using the old EA as justification for this operation in light of recent legal precedent.
Heavily pregnant mares and new foals dot the landscape, today, at Triple B. Our teams have been onsite the last two weeks documenting the range and wild horses. We remain onsite to cover the roundup.
BLM did not fly on day 1. BLM has already announced they will not be flying on day 2. Day 3 (Saturday) it has been relayed that operation will begin.
Categories: Wild Horse Education
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